NEW BRUNSWICK – Work to improve safety conditions on Livingston Avenue, following a recent accident in which three children were injured, has been completed.

Livingston Avenue was realigned in two critical areas: The first area stretches from Delavan to Baldwin streets, the area where three children were struck earlier this month. The second area stretches from Elizabeth Street, near the Foodtown, to Loretta Street. This area was the site of another critical accident, according to Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios and New Brunswick Mayor James M. Cahill.

The once four-lane road now has one traveling lane in each direction in those two areas. A center turning lane was installed. Curbside parking along Livingston Avenue in these two sections is prohibited.

"This means pedestrians in those areas will not have to cross four lanes of moving traffic or worry about cars jutting out from parking spaces," Rios said. "The measures, including merging cars from four lanes into two, have proven to slow traffic."

Signs detailing the new traffic pattern and parking restrictions also were installed.

The county took action to improve safety along the roadway after three children were struck on May 6 while trying to cross Livingston Avenue, a county road.

New Brunswick Fire Director Robert Rawls, who was driving a fire department SUV, was issued summonses for careless driving and failure to stop for pedestrians. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office has announced that no criminal charges will be filed against Rawls.

Rios and Cahill met May 7 with the city's Director of Planning Glenn Patterson, Ralph Albanir, head of the county's infrastructure management department, and County Engineer Richard Wallner to develop plans to address the issue.

On May 12, reflectors that lined the middle of the street were removed and the holes patched. On Tuesday, the old striping was removed and restriping began. Traffic signs were installed Thursday and Friday as the last step in the project.

Cahill described Livingston Avenue as one of the busiest roads in the city.

"New Brunswick previously commissioned a study through Rutgers University to develop improvement plans for Livingston Avenue. That study was presented to the county, which now is in the process of an engineering review to determine the best way to proceed with the study's findings," Cahill said.

The resulting product will be a long-term solution for the entire length of Livingston Avenue stretching from George Street to the border with North Brunswick, Rios said.

"As a team, we recognize the need for change and will work collectively to improve safety for all who use the road," Rios said.